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CLASSICAR GARAGE NEWSLETTER 216, 30 JULY 2026 |
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Dear classic car enthusiast,
We open the newsletter with a wonderful example of long‑distance-racing Le Mans‑optimised mechanics from almost a century ago: a handbrake mechanism in which pure arm strength is transformed into immense leverage. The grease nipple and locking pin are there for good reason. From the 1930s onwards, systems like these disappeared beneath the car floor, and a century later modern automobiles show no visible mechanical workings, even though all movement still depends on them. Fortunately, through classic car engineering we can continue to enjoy technology we can understand, observe in action, and repair ourselves.
Today I present eight classic cars and a restoration update at Altena Classic Service.
You will find a splendid selection of British sports cars from Austin‑Healey and MG, an imposing 1936 Bentley Drophead Coupé, two Mercedes‑Benz R107 SLs, and a rare 1969 Saab Sonett II. At Altena Classic Service, the Bentley 8‑Litre project has been updated. Last week, another Bentley 8‑Litre, restored by Altena to factory‑correct specification, won first prize at the 90th Anniversary Bentley Club Concours in the United Kingdom; an exceptional achievement! With best regards,
Marc Vorgers
Owner | Photographer | Test driver | Editor in chief *Type errors and price changes reserved.
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MERCEDES-BENZ 450 SL (R107), 1977
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Mercedes‑Benz 450 SL (R107), year 1977. Finished in metallic brown with a light brown interior and brown carpeting. Dark brown soft‑top and a body‑colour hard‑top. This fantastic Mercedes‑Benz 450 SL was delivered new in the United States. In 2019 the car was imported from Arizona into the Netherlands, where it has since had one enthusiastic owner. Upon arrival in the Netherlands, the car was fitted with the correct European chrome bumpers and single headlamps. In recent years it has been thoroughly maintained and brought fully up to date mechanically and technically. The result is a 450 SL in excellent condition that drives like new. More information on the website.
Price: € 29.500,-*.
phone international: +31 524 56 11 22
E-mail: sales@altenaclassicservice.nl
website: altenaclassicservice.nl |
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| AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 MK III PHASE 2, 1967 | |
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Austin Healey 3000 Mk III Phase 2, year 1967. Finished in dark blue (Basilica Blue) over cream white (a rare and original Healey colour scheme), combined with a dark blue leather interior and dark blue carpeting. The car is fitted with a blue soft‑top and a blue mohair tonneau cover. This is a matching‑numbers example, confirmed by the accompanying British Motor Heritage certificate. This magnificent ‘Big Healey’ was sold new in Illinois (USA) in 1967 and shipped to the Netherlands in 1988. In 1999 the car was purchased by Altena Classic Service to be fully restored for a client. Between 1999 and 2001 the Austin Healey was thoroughly restored to concours condition. No expense was spared: every component was restored, overhauled, or renewed. A complete file with all invoices, a photographic restoration report, and historical documents is present. This splendid Austin Healey has been carefully maintained over the years and is in excellent condition.
More information on the website. Price: € 69.500,-*.
phone international: +31 26 442 99 37
e-mail: sales@classicopen.eu
website: classicopen.eu |
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| BENTLEY 4¼ LITRE DROPHEAD COUPÉ, 1936 | |
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Bentley 4¼ Litre Drophead Coupé, year 1936. This splendid ‘Derby’ Bentley is finished in blue with a blue leather interior, blue carpeting and a blue mohair hood. This magnificent Bentley 4¼ Litre was delivered new in England. In 1963 the car was sold to the United States, and in 1978 it found a new owner in Australia. During its years in Australia, the car was thoroughly restored and fitted with a new Drophead Coupé body (featuring a three‑position hood) constructed by the renowned coachbuilder Roger Fry. Over the years this beautiful Bentley DHC has won several awards. In 2012 the car was purchased by a Dutch collector, who enjoyed many journeys and attended historic events with it. In 2013 the engine was completely overhauled; invoices and photographs of the work are included. For the past fourteen years the car has been perfectly maintained by Altena Classic Service. The maintenance history of this Bentley is wonderfully documented, and the car is in excellent condition. More information on the website.
INFORMATION & PHOTOS Price: € 129.500,-*. phone international: +31 524 56 11 22
e-mail: sales@altenaclassicservice.nl
website: altenaclassicservice.nl |
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| MG MGA 1600 ROADSTER, 1960 | |
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MG MGA 1600 Roadster, year 1960. Finished in Chariot Red with a black leather interior trimmed with red piping and black carpeting. Equipped with a black vinyl soft‑top and tonneau cover. This MGA was delivered new in the United States in January 1960 and arrived in the Netherlands in 1996. What followed was a meticulous restoration, carried out to perfection and with no expense spared, which continued until 2014. This MGA 1600 is in sublime condition and drives fantastically. The car comes with a very extensive historical file containing numerous photographs, invoices, and a British Motor Heritage certificate. This beautiful example shows wonderful original details and features the original steel wheels with chrome hubcaps and the original steering wheel. This exceptionally restored and perfectly maintained example is a true gem for the enthusiast. More information on the website.
Price: € 34.500, -.*
phone international: +31 26 442 99 37
e-mail: sales@classicopen.eu
website: classicopen.eu
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AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 MK III PHASE 2, 1965
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Austin Healey 3000 Mk III Phase 2, year 1965. The bodywork is finished in Austin Healey Ice Blue metallic, combined with blue leather upholstery and blue carpeting. The car is fitted with a blue vinyl soft‑top and a blue mohair hood cover. This magnificent ‘Big Healey’ was imported from the United States in 2000 and thoroughly restored in 2005–2006. A photographic record and invoices documenting the restoration are present. Since its arrival in the Netherlands in 2000, the car has had only two Dutch owners. The most recent owner cherished the car from 2005 onwards and drove 18,000 miles with it. This Austin Healey is in very good condition and has matching numbers; a British Motor Heritage certificate is included as confirmation. A few years ago the gearbox, overdrive and steering system were overhauled. Recently, new wire wheels with new Vredestein tyres were fitted. A splendid opportunity to acquire a beautifully presented and well‑maintained Austin Healey 3000 Mk III Phase 2. More information on the website.
INFORMATION & PHOTOS Price: € 64.000,-* phone international: +31 26 442 99 37
e-mail: sales@classicopen.eu
website: classicopen.eu |
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| SAAB SONETT II V4, 1969 | |
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Saab Sonett II V4, year 1969. Finished in red with a black leatherette interior. This
splendid Saab Sonett was delivered new in the United States and later imported into the Netherlands, where it was restored. The Saab Sonett is an ultra‑light, aerodynamic sports car, designed by Ragnar Håkansson and styled by Sixten Sason. The car is built around a glass‑fibre reinforced plastic body on a light steel chassis with front‑wheel drive. With only 1,610 examples produced, the Saab Sonett II is a rare car, and this example is number 1373. It is powered by the reliable 1500 cc Ford V4 engine delivering 65 bhp. A fine detail is the factory‑fitted roll bar in the interior. This Saab is in very good condition, showing only minimal signs of use. The interior is surprisingly spacious, with a wonderful layout that offers a sporty yet comfortable driving experience. A fantastic classic Saab. More information on the website. INFORMATION & PHOTOS Price: € 29.500,-*. phone international: +31 26 442 99 37
e-mail: sales@classicopen.eu
website: classicopen.eu |
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| MERCEDES-BENZ 420 SL (R107), 1987 | |
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Mercedes‑Benz 420 SL (R107), year 1987. Finished in metallic blue with a newly upholstered dark blue leather interior and a blue mohair soft‑top. The car also comes with the original blue hard‑top. This Mercedes‑Benz was imported into the Netherlands in 2002 and has had only two owners over the past 24 years. The car is in very good and beautiful condition, with one professional respray in its history. The current mileage is 153,050 km, fully documented through periodic inspection reports. The R107 420 SL is an iconic model in the history of Mercedes‑Benz. Introduced in 1985, it is one of the most sought‑after versions of the R107 series, with only 2,148 examples produced. This limited production makes every 420 SL a valuable collector’s item. Unlike the 450 SL, the 420 SL was built exclusively for the European market and features a kilometre counter, European headlamps and European bumpers. This example is in very good condition, with minimal signs of use and an excellent history. More information on the website.
INFORMATION & PHOTOS Price: € 58.500, -*. phone international: +31 26 442 99 37
e-mail: sales@classicopen.eu
website: classicopen.eu |
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| MG MGA 1500 ROADSTER, 1959 | |
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MG MGA 1500 Roadster, year 1959. Finished in Orient Red with a black leather interior and black carpeting. The car is equipped with a black vinyl soft‑top, side screens with aluminium frames, and a black vinyl tonneau cover. This beautiful MGA 1500 Roadster was sold new in the United States and imported into the Netherlands in 1999, where it was thoroughly restored in the following years. No expense was spared in achieving perfection and keeping the car in excellent condition over time. A photographic report of the bodywork restoration is included. On the road the car feels light‑footed, communicative and wonderfully open, capturing the essence of classic motoring. This example features the original steel wheels with chrome hubcaps and the original steering wheel. Additional equipment includes two door‑mounted exterior mirrors, seat belts, an electric cooling fan and a stainless‑steel exhaust system. This splendid MGA 1500 Roadster is a true gem for the MG enthusiast. More information on the website.
INFORMATION & PHOTOS Price: € 29.000,-*.
phone international: +31 26 442 99 37
e-mail: sales@classicopen.eu
website: classicopen.eu |
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| BENTLEY 8-LITRE RESTORATION TO ORIGINAL SPECIFICATIONS | |
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This magnificent 1931 Bentley 8‑Litre is being restored by Altena Classic Service to its original factory specifications. The Vanden Plas‑style bodywork, fitted in 1986, has been removed, and non‑original interior, chassis and engine components are being replaced with authentic parts sourced by Altena Classic Service through its worldwide network. The original Mulliner semi‑Weymann* saloon body, which remained with the car after removal, is being restored to concours condition and will once again be reunited with the chassis. You can follow the full restoration on the website.
phone international: +31 524 56 11 22
e-mail: sales@altenaclassicservice.nl
website: altenaclassicservice.nl |
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